In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, a group of friends sought solace and connection through fitness. Many of us, former and current professional athletes, craved not only physical activity but also the camaraderie and socialising that had been sorely missed since leaving school.

Casual training sessions became a regular occurrence, fuelled by our shared passion for pushing our limits and having a good time. It was during this time that the iconic movie "Anchorman" was making waves, and in true Ogging Squad fashion, we couldn't resist a bit of irony. Inspired by the character's quote from Anchorman – "Veronica and I trying this new fad called uh, jogging. I believe it's jogging or yogging. it might be a soft j. I'm not sure but apparently you just run for an extended period of time." – we dropped the "Y" and embraced the name "Ogging Squad."

As our bond strengthened and our adventures grew, we realised that Ogging Squad represented something unique in the world of professional sports, especially triathlon – a refreshing departure from the seriousness and intensity that often accompanies elite competition. Our mantra became clear: life is too short to take yourself too seriously, and sport should always be about having fun. With a dash of irony and a sprinkle of irreverence, our Instagram bio captured the essence of Ogging Squad: "High underperforming performance squad developed for low-intensity non-elite athletes." But our journey was just beginning. With the Ogging Squad Mentality firmly ingrained in our ethos, we set our sights on a new challenge – the 2021 Margaret River Ultra Marathon. Assembling a dream team including Jonathan Sammut, Justin Ghosh, Leighton Cook, Nick Thompson, and Declan Tingay, we tackled the race as a relay team – and made history in the process.

Breaking the Margaret River Ultra record, we proved that teamwork, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of fun can lead to extraordinary achievements. What started as a group of individuals competing in individual sports had evolved into something far greater – a tight-knit community united by a shared passion for endurance sport and the pursuit of joy. Since our inception, Ogging Squad has become synonymous with endurance sport, camaraderie, and never taking ourselves too seriously. Because after all, who wants that? Join us on our journey, and let's redefine what it means to be an athlete together.

Ogging was born out of both passion and adversity.

For years, I lived and breathed the life of a professional triathlete. Training, racing, and chasing performance were at the centre of everything I did. What started as a side hobby, helping others with their own training, slowly grew into a coaching community. But in 2024, everything changed.

A life-altering accident ended my elite racing career overnight. I faced 16 surgeries, months in hospital, and the real possibility of losing my leg. What followed was the hardest fight of my life, not for podiums or personal bests, but for the privilege to walk again, to move again, and to rebuild a new future.

That experience gave me clarity. I realised that movement is a privilege, and choosing to step into discomfort, to train, to push, to grow, is something not everyone gets the chance to do. Ogging became more than just a side project. It became my purpose.

Today, Ogging exists to help people realise their potential in a sustainable way. Whether through coaching, community, or lifestyle, we stand for:

• Community — creating a space where no one feels left behind.
• Performance without the pretence — chasing big goals without ego.
• Fun and hard work — because growth happens when effort and enjoyment meet.
  

My vision is simple: to inspire more people to move, to challenge themselves, and to find meaning in the process. Because being able to move is a gift — and every run, every ride, every race is an opportunity to honour that privilege.

Ogging is more than a brand. It’s a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, we can rebuild, we can grow, and we can choose to keep moving forward.

— Jonathan Sammut, Founder of Ogging